“It’s been so beneficial both ways,” says Maria Mueller, president of the child care center, which is a Felician-sponsored ministry. “There’s back-and-forth learning between the elderly and the young. There’s such a joy and purpose.”

“It’s a great opportunity to see that if someone is different, it doesn’t mean they have to be scary,” Jones says.

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The program, which Mueller notes is unique in the region, has grown in its two years, with hopes of building a path between the centers. An intergenerational playground is another goal, as many seniors are in wheelchairs or use walkers. Learn more at stmarychildcarecenter.org.

Bridging the gen gap

Here are a few perks of preschooler and senior citizen interaction.

Kids, who often have limited exposure to older people, interact and build friendships with grandparent-age people.

Seniors, who don’t get a lot of visitors, share their memories with younger people. Gail Jones recalls when a teacher had a lesson about May Day. “One of the seniors talked about how she celebrated May Day as a child.”

Kids get used to seeing wheelchairs, walkers and canes – since many of the older adults use them. It helps normalize these natural changes of aging.